Display apparatus

ABSTRACT

Provided is a display apparatus. The display apparatus includes a display panel, a back cover disposed on a rear side of the display panel, the back cover having a curved shape of which both ends protrude forward, and a fixing part fixing the back cover to maintain the curved shape of the back cover. The display panel is curved in a shape corresponding to that of the back cover.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/711,408 filed on Dec. 11, 2012, which claimspriority under 35 U.S.C. 119(a) to Korean Patent Application Nos.10-2011-0137751, filed on Dec. 19, 2011 and 10-2012-0131217, filed onNov. 19, 2012, whose entire disclosures are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a display apparatus.

As an information-oriented society develops, needs for diverse forms ofdisplay apparatuses are increasing. Accordingly, research has beencarried out on various display apparatuses such as liquid crystaldisplay devices (LCDs), plasma display panels (PDPs), electroluminescent displays (ELDs), vacuum fluorescent displays (VFDs), and thelike, which have been commercialized.

Also, researches with respect to three-dimensional (3D) images are beingcarried out in recent years. 3D image technologies are being generalizedand commercialized in various environments and techniques as well ascomputer graphic fields.

SUMMARY

Embodiments provide a display apparatus having a structure through whichuser's immersion is improved.

In one embodiment, a display apparatus includes: a display panel; a backcover disposed on a rear side of the display panel, the back coverhaving a curved shape of which both ends protrude forward; and a fixingpart fixing the back cover to maintain the curved shape of the backcover, wherein the display panel is curved in a shape corresponding tothat of the back cover.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent fromthe description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a display panel according to anembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a display apparatus according to anembodiment.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are views of a fixing part for maintaining a curved shapeof a back cover according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view of a fixing part for maintaining a curved shape of aback cover according to another embodiment.

FIGS. 6 to 8 are views of a fixing part for maintaining a curved shapeof a back cover according to another embodiment.

FIGS. 9 to 11 are views of a fixing part for maintaining a curved shapeof a back cover according to another embodiment.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are views of a fixing part for maintaining a curvedshape of a back cover according to another embodiment.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are views of a fixing part for maintaining a curvedshape of a back cover according to another embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a fixing part for maintaining a curvedshape of a back cover according to another embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a view illustrating a back surface of a display part to whicha fixing bar is coupled according to an embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a view illustrating a back surface of a display part to whicha fixing bar is coupled according to another embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a view illustrating a back surface of a display part to whicha fixing bar is coupled according to another embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a fixing part formaintaining a curved shape of a back cover according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a fixing part formaintaining a curved shape of a back cover according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a fixing part formaintaining a curved shape of a back cover according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a fixing part formaintaining a curved shape of a back cover according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 26 is a view of a back surface of a back cover according to anembodiment.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a coupling surfacebetween a back cover and a printed circuit board according to anembodiment.

FIGS. 28 and 29 are views illustrating a connection method of a driverIC according to an embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a view of a back surface of a display panel according to anembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however,be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as beinglimited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodimentsare provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, andwill fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in theart. In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers and regions areexaggerated for clarity.

Although an organic light emitting display (OLED) is described below asan example of a display panel, the display panel applicable to thepresent disclosure is not limited to a liquid crystal panel. Forexample, the display panel may include various flat panel display panelssuch as liquid crystal display devices (LCDs), plasma display panels(PDPs), or filed emission display (FEDs).

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a display panel according to anembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, a display panel 11 provided in a display apparatus1 according to an embodiment may have a curved shape with apredetermined curvature R.

For example, the curved shape of the display panel 11 may have thecurvature R so that distances d1, d2, and d3 between a watching positionP of a user and a front surface of the display panel 11 are equal orsimilar to each other. The display panel 11 may have a curved shape withthe predetermined curvature R.

Thus, when the user watches an image displayed on the display apparatus1, the user's immersion may be improved. Particularly, as describedabove, when the user watches a 3D image, the user's immersion may besignificantly improved by the curved shape of the display panel 11.

An OLED panel using an organic light emitting device (OLED) may be usedas the display panel 11.

The OLED has a structure in which an organic light emitting layer havinga functional thin film shape is inserted between an anode electrode anda cathode electrode. Also, the OLED may be a device in which holes areinjected into the anode electrode, and electrons are injected into thecathode, and then the electrons and the holes are combined within theorganic light emitting layer to form excitons, thereby generating lightwhile the excitons emit light and are recombined with each other.

A method for realizing a full color OLED may include an independentlight emitting method, a color filter method, or a color conversionmethod. The independent light emitting method may be a method forrealizing light having R, G, and B colors by thermally depositing lightemitting materials respectively having the R, G, and B colors using ametal shadow mask on which the light emitting materials are preciselypatterned. The cooler filter method may be a method in which a whilelight emitting layer is provided, and R, G, and B color filters arepatterned to realize light having R, G, and B colors. The colorconversion method may be a method in which a blue light emitting layeris provided to realize light having R, G, and B color by using a colorconversion layer for converting a blue color into green and red colors.

According to an embodiment, the display panel 11 may be a flat displaypanel having a flat shape with a curvature of about zero. Since theabove-described flat display panel 11 is curved by a separate framehaving a curved shape, the flat display panel 11 may be maintained in acurved shape having a predetermined curvature R as described withreference to FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a display apparatus according to anembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the display panel 11 may be a flat display panel.Also, as shown in FIG. 2B, a back cover 12 disposed on a rear side ofthe display panel 11 may have a structure with a curved shape of whichboth ends protrude forward.

Referring to FIG. 2C, since the back cover 12 having the curved shape asdescribed above is disposed on the rear side of the display panel 11,the display panel may be curved in a shape corresponding to the curvedshape of the back cover 12.

FIG. 2 illustrates the display panel 11 and the back cover 12 of thedisplay apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. The display apparatus 1may further include various components in addition to the display panel11 and the back cover 12.

Also, the display apparatus 1 may further include a fixing part forfixing the back cover 12 so that the back cover 12 is maintained in thecurved shape as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, since the back cover 12 ismaintained in the curved shape, the display panel 11 disposed on a frontside of the back cover may be maintained in the predetermined curvatureas described with reference to FIG. 1.

Hereinafter, structures of the fixing part for fixing the curved shapeof the back cover 12 according to embodiments will be described indetail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 30.

Referring to FIG. 3, the display apparatus 1 may include a display partfor displaying an image, a control module 20 disposed outside thedisplay part 10 to support the display part 10 with respect to the floorand generate a power and an image signal for operating the display part10, and a support part 30 for supporting the display part to the controlmodule 20.

For example, the control module 20 may include a power supply partreceiving an external power to covert the external power into a drivingpower for driving the display part 10 and a main control part generatingan image signal for driving the display part 10.

Also, the control module 20 may be provided as a part separated from thedisplay part 10. The control module 20 may support the display part 10with respect to the floor. Also, the control module 20 may additionallyfunction as an AV box including a speaker and a signal input/outputterminal.

For example, since the display part 10 according to the currentembodiment does not include a separate power supply part or a maincontrol part for processing an image signal, but includes a displaymodule and protection members for fixing and protecting the displaymodule, the display part 10 may be decreased in thickness.

As described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the display part 10 mayinclude the display panel 11 and the back cover 12 which have the curvedshapes, respectively.

According to an embodiment, the support part 30 may function as thefixing part for maintaining the curved shape of the back cover 12.

For example, the support 30 may include at least one vertical barextending vertically and at least one horizontal bar extendinghorizontally. The horizontal bar may be connected to both ends of theback cover 12.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, both ends of the horizontal bar 31 includedin the support part 30 are connected to both outer portions of the backcover 12 to maintain the curved shape of the back cover 12. Thus, asshown in FIG. 1, the display panel 11 may also be maintained in thepredetermined curvature R.

When the display apparatus 1 including the configuration as shown inFIG. 3 is fixed to a wall, the control module 20 may function as thefixing part for maintaining the curved shape of the back cover 12.

Referring to FIG. 5, one surface 21 of the control module 20 may have ashape corresponding to the curved shape of the back cover 12. In thiscase, the one surface 21 having the curved shape of both surfaces of thecontrol module 20 may be attached to a back surface of the back cover 12to maintain the curved shape of the back cover 12. Thus, the displaypanel 11 may also be maintained in the predetermined curvature R. A flatsurface of both surfaces of the control module 20 may be fixed to thewall.

According to another embodiment, the fixing for fixing the curved shapeof the back cover 12 may include a fixed member fixed to a centralportion of the back cover 12, a cam member connected to the fixed memberto move in front and rear directions, and a plate of which both ends arefixed to the back cover and a central portion is fixed to the fixedmember to change a shape of the back cover according to the movement ofthe cam member.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, both ends of a plate 100 may be fixed to aback surface of the back cover 12 by using a plurality of couplingmembers 110 and 111. A central portion of the plate 100 may be bent atleast two times so that the plate 100 has a structure in which thecentral portion thereof is inserted in a front direction (i.e., adirection toward the back cover 12).

Also, the forwardly inserted central portion of the plate 100 may befixed by a fixed member 121 fixed to a central portion of a back surfaceof the back cover 12. A cam 120 is connected to the fixed member 121 tomove in front and rear directions according to rotation thereof.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the cam 120 is rotated in a firstdirection to move the cam 120 in a front direction, both ends of theplate 100 fixed to the back cover 12 may be moved inward so that theback cover 12 is curved to have a curved shape. Thus, the display panel11 may also be curved in the predetermined curvature R.

Therefore, when the cam 120 is fixed in the state where the displaypanel 11 has a desired curvature R, each of the back cover 12 and thedisplay panel 11 may be maintained in the correspondingly curved shape.

When the cam 120 is rotated in a second direction opposite to the firstdirection, the cam 120 is moved in a rear direction. As a result, bothends of the plate 100 fixed to the back cover 12 may be moved outward sothat the curved shape of the back cover 12 becomes gradually flat. Thus,the curvature R of the display panel 11 may be gradually decreased.

According to another embodiment, the fixing for fixing the curved shapeof the back cover 12 may include a fixed member fixed to a centralportion of the back cover 12, a cam member connected to the fixed memberto move in front and rear directions, and a plurality of plates havingone end fixed to the back cover 12 and the other end contacting at leastone of the fixed member and cam member to change a shape of the backcover according to the movement of the cam member.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, one end of a first plate 101 and one end ofa second plate 102 may be fixed to a back surface of the back cover 12by using a plurality of coupling members 110 and 111. The other ends ofthe first and second plates 110 and 102 which are not fixed to the backcover 12 may contact a cam 130 or a fixed member 131.

Also, a third plate 103 may be fixed to the back surface of the backcover 12 by using a plurality of coupling members 112 and 123. The fixedmember 131 fixed to the back cover 12 may be disposed under the thirdplate 103.

Also, the cam 130 moved in front and rear directions according torotation thereof may be disposed above the third plate 103. Thus, thecam 130 and the fixed member 131 may be connected to each other througha hole defined in the third plate 103.

Referring to FIG. 11, when the cam 130 is rotated in one direction tomove in a front direction, both ends of the first and second plates 101and 102 fixed to the back cover 12 may be moved inward so that the backcover 12 is curved to have the curved shape. Thus, the display panel 11may also be curved in the predetermined curvature R.

Therefore, when the cam 120 is fixed in the state where the displaypanel 11 has a desired curvature R, each of the back cover 12 and thedisplay panel 11 may be maintained in the correspondingly curved shape.

According to another embodiment, the fixing part for fixing the curvedshape of the back cover 12 may include a vertically movable movingmember and a plurality of link members having one end fixed to the backcover 12 and the other end fixed to the moving member to change a shapeof the back cover according to the movement of the moving member.

Referring to FIG. 12, one end of a first link 105 and one end of asecond link 106 may be fixed to a back surface of the back cover 12 byusing a plurality of coupling members 115 and 116. The other ends of thefirst and second links 105 and 106 which are not fixed to the back cover12 may be fixed to a vertically movable moving member 140 by using aplurality of coupling members 117 and 118.

Referring to FIG. 13, when the moving member 140 is moved in onedirection, both ends of the first and second links 105 and 106 fixed tothe back cover 12 may be moved inward so that the back cover 12 iscurved to have the curved shape. Thus, the display panel 11 may also becurved in the predetermined curvature R.

Therefore, when the cam 120 is fixed in the state where the displaypanel 11 has a desired curvature R, each of the back cover 12 and thedisplay panel 11 may be maintained in the correspondingly curved shape.

As described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 13, the fixing part may beautomatically operated by a separate driving part (not shown). Forexample, the rotation of the cam member and the movement of the movingmember which are included in the fixing part may be performed by anoperation of a motor included in the driving part.

The operation of the motor may be controlled by a user's input, and theuser may adjust a desired curvature R of the display panel 11. Moreparticularly, the more a watching position P is away from the displaypanel 11, the more a curvature R of the display panel 11 is decreased.

According to another embodiment, the fixing part for fixing the curvedshape of the back cover 12 may include a rotation member rotated by anoperation of a motor and a chain member fixed to a back surface of theback cover 12 and having a side connected to the rotation member tochange a change of the back cover 12 according to the rotation of therotation member.

Referring to FIG. 14, a plurality of chains 200 and 201 may be fixed tothe back surface of the back cover 12. An area on which the chains 200and 201 are attached may be areas on which a rear cover 15 covering alower end area of the back cover 12 is disposed. Thus, the chains 200and 201 may not be exposed to the outside.

When the chains 200 and 201 are pulled or released by the operation ofthe motor, a curved shape of the back cover 12 may be changed. Thus, thedisplay panel 11 may be adjusted in curvature R.

Referring to FIG. 15, one end of the chain 200 may be connected to therotation member 210 rotated by the motor, and at least one portion ofthe remaining portions of the chain 200 may be hooked and fixed to aguide rib 202 disposed on the back surface of the back cover 12.

When the rotation member 210 is rotated in one direction (for example, aclockwise direction), the chain 201 hooked and fixed to the guide rib202 may be pulled so that the back cover 12 is curved to have a curvedshape. Thus, the display panel 11 may be curved to have a predeterminedcurvature R.

Although the chains 200 and 201 are fixed to the lower end area of theback cover 12 in the current embodiment, the present disclosure is notlimited thereto. For example, the chains 200 and 201 may be additionallyprovided on an upper area of the back surface of the back cover 12.

Hereinafter, configurations of a display apparatus including a fixingpart according to another embodiment will be described in more detailwith reference to FIGS. 16 to 18.

FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of a back surface of a displayapparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of aportion of FIG. 16, and FIG. 18 is a plan view of FIG. 16.

A fixing part according to the current embodiment includes a plate 610disposed on a rear side of a display part 10, a stand 620 supporting thedisplay part 10 so that the display part 10 stands up, a stand support640 connecting the stand 620 to the plate 610, and a fixing bar 630coupled to a rear side of the plate 610.

In detail, the plate 610 is formed of a metal material and attached to aback surface of a back cover 12.

The stand 620 is disposed on a lower portion of the display part 10. Thestand 620 may have a shape in which a central portion of the stand 620protrudes backward. Thus, a distance between the stand 620 and thedisplay part 10 or the plate 610 is further at the central portion andcloser at both left and right ends.

For example, the stand 620 may be curved as if the stand 620 protrudeforward from both left and right thereof ends and relatively recessedbackward from the central portion thereof.

In this case, a curved degree of the stand 620 may be greater than thatof the display part 10. That is, the stand 620 may have a curvaturegreater than that of the display part 10.

Since the stand 620 has the above-described structure, points of bothleft and right ends of the stand 620 are coupled to points of left andright ends of the display part 10, and the central portion of the stand620 is spaced backward from the display part 10.

The stand 620 may have a rounded shape on the whole. Also, the stand 620may be manufactured by injection-molding a synthetic resin.

The stand support 640 may be coupled to the stand 620 and the plate 610to maintain the curved shapes of the display part 10 and the plate 610.

That is, the central portion of the curved plate 610 may be moved towardforward to fix the plate 610, thereby preventing the display part 10from being spread in a flat shape.

For this, the stand support 640 includes a plate coupling part 641extending approximately in a vertical direction and a stand couplingpart 642 disposed on a lower portion of the plate coupling part 641 toextend backward in a shape inclined gradually toward a lower sidethereof.

A plurality of through holes passing through the plate coupling part 641in front and rear directions are defined in the plate coupling part 641.The through holes may be holes through which bolts for coupling theplate 610 pass.

Thus, the stand support 640 may surface-contact the plate 610 throughthe plate coupling part 641 to restrict the movement of the centralportion of the plate 610 in a front direction. Here, the plate couplingpart 641 may be directly coupled to the back surface of the back cover12.

A horizontal extension part 642 a horizontally extending backward from alower end of the stand coupling part 642 is disposed on the lower end ofthe stand coupling part 642. Also, a plurality of through holes 642 bvertically passing through the horizontal extension part 642 a aredefined horizontally in the horizontal extension part 642 a. The throughholes 642 b may be holes through which bolts for coupling the standsupport 640 to the stand 620 pass.

The plate coupling part 641 may be integrated with the stand couplingpart 642. Also, each of the plate coupling part 641 and the standcoupling part 642 may be formed of a metal having high hardness withoutelastic deformation.

The stand support 640 may be provided in plurality, and the plurality ofstand supports 640 may be arranged in left and right directions. Thestand support 640 disposed close to each of left and right edges mayhave a front/rear length less than that of the stand support disposed ona central portion.

For example, two central stand supports 640 and two side stand supports640 may be symmetrically disposed with respect to a center of aleft/right direction. Here, each of the side stand supports 640 may havea front/rear distance less than that of each of the central standsupport 640. For this, the stand coupling part 642 may have a shorterlength. Also, the stand coupling part 642 may be inclined to besubstantially vertical.

The fixing bar 630 is coupled to a rear side of an upper portion of theplate 610. The fixing bar 630 may be a high hardness member extendshorizontally. The fixing bar 630 may fix the plate 610 so that the plate610 is maintained in the curved shape. The fixing bar 630 may be, forexample, formed of titanium or carbon steel.

For this, the fixing bar 630 may have a curved shape corresponding toshapes of the plate 610 and the display part 10, and include slits 630 athat allow the fixing bar to be easily curved. That is, the fixing bar630 may have a shape which relatively protrudes forward at left andright ends thereof and relatively protrudes backward at a centralportion thereof.

Here, the fixing bar 630 may have a curved shape on the whole.Alternatively, the fixing bar 630 may have a shape of which only a frontsurface is curved and a back surface is not curved, i.e., have astraight line shape on the whole.

The fixing bar 630 may be coupled to the plate 610 using a screw bolt.The fixing bar 630 may include one or more holes 630 b to enable thefixing bar to receive screws, bolts, or the like.

A reference numeral 650 represents a rear cover 650 coupled to a rearside of the plate 620. The plate coupling part 641 of the stand support640 may be coupled to a back surface of the rear cover 650 or a backsurface of the plate 620. Also, the plate coupling part 641 may bedirectly coupled to the back surface of the back cover 12.

Thus, the display part 10 may be maintained in the curved shape by thefixing part to improve the user's immersion.

The fixing bar 630 may have a shape as shown in FIGS. 19 to 21.

FIGS. 19 to 21 illustrate a back surface of the display apparatus inwhich fixing bars having different shapes are respectively disposed atdifferent positions.

Referring to FIG. 19, the fixing bar 630 may extend longitudinally inleft and right directions. Also, the fixing bar 630 may be directlycoupled to an upper end of a back surface of the back cover 12. Here,the fixing bar 630 may be provided in plurality. The plurality of fixingbars 630 may be vertically disposed parallel to each other.

Referring to FIG. 20, the fixing bars 630 may be coupled to the backsurface of the display part 10 in a diagonal shape crossing each other.One fixing bar 630 extends from a left upper end of the back surface ofthe display part 10 up to a right lower end, and the other fixing partextends a right upper end of the back surface of the display part 10 upto a left lower end.

Referring to FIG. 21, the fixing bar 630 may be provided in plurality.The plurality of fixing bars 630 may be coupled to the back surface ofthe display part 10. Here, a portion of the fixing bars 630 may extendin a horizontal direction, and a remaining portion may extend in avertical direction.

FIGS. 22 to 25 illustrate a fixing part according to another embodiment.Referring to FIGS. 22 to 25, a fixing part may further include a middlecover formed of a high hardness material.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a display apparatusincluding a middle cover 710 according to an embodiment and illustratesa portion of an upper end of the display apparatus.

The middle cover 710 may have a portion disposed between a display panel11 and a back cover 12. The middle cover 710 may be formed of a materialhaving high hardness such as titanium or carbon steel to maintain curvedstates of the display panel 11 and the back cover 12. For this, themiddle cover 710 may have a curved shape of which both left and rightends relatively protrudes forward, and a central portion relativelyprotrudes backward.

The middle cover 710 includes an insertion part 711 inserted between thedisplay panel 11 and the back cover 12 and an end cover part 712 coupledto an outer end of the insertion part 711 to extend in front and reardirections approximately perpendicular to an extension direction of theinsertion part 711.

An outer surface of the end cover part 712 may surround an outer end ofthe display part 10. Also, for an elegant outer appearance, the outersurface of the end cover part 712 may be rounded. An inner surface ofthe end cover part 712 may be stepped at front and rear portions thereofwith respect to the insertion part 711.

A space in which the insertion part 711 is inserted may be defined in acentral portion in a front/rear direction at an edge of the display part10. That is, a portion of the central portion in the front/reardirection at the edge of the display part 10 may be recessed inward todefine a groove.

The groove may have a narrow width in a front/rear direction at an edgeof the back cover 12. That is, a front surface of the back cover 12 maybe stepped. The stepped portion of the back cover 12 may be the groovein which the insertion part 711 is inserted.

The middle cover 710 may be disposed on only an upper end of the displaypart 10. Alternatively, the middle cover 710 may be disposed on upperand lower ends or on ends in up/down right/left directions. When themiddle cover 710 is disposed on the upper and lower ends of the displaypart 10, the middle cover 710 may be curved in a front direction. Also,when the middle cover 710 is disposed on the left and right ends of thedisplay part 10, the middle cover may have a shape which extends in astraight line shape without being curved. Since the middle cover 710 iscoupled to the edge of the display part 10 to protect the end of thedisplay part 10 and realize the elegant outer appearance, the middlecover 710 may be disposed on the left and right ends without beingcurved.

As shown in FIGS. 23 to 25, the middle cover may be modified in shape.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modified shape of themiddle cover.

Referring to FIG. 23, the middle cover 720 includes an insertion part721 inserted into the display part 10, an end cover part 722 coupled toan outer end of the insertion part 721 to extend in front and reardirections approximately perpendicular to an extension direction of theinsertion part 721, and a front extension part 723 extending inward froma front end of the end cover part 722 in a direction approximatelyparallel to the insertion part 721.

When compared to the example illustrated in FIG. 22, the middle cover720 is equal to that of FIG. 22 except that the middle cover 720includes the front extension part 723. Thus, their duplicateddescriptions will be omitted.

Since the front extension part 723 is provided, a larger force formaintaining the curved state of the display part 10 may be obtained. Inaddition, it may prevent foreign substances from being introducedthrough the end of the display part 10.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another modified shape ofthe middle cover.

Referring to FIG. 24, the middle cover 730 includes an insertion part731 inserted into the display part 10, an end cover part 722 coupled toan outer end of the insertion part 731 to extend in front and reardirections approximately perpendicular to an extension direction of theinsertion part 731, and a rear extension part 733 extending inward froma rear end of the end cover part 732 in a direction approximatelyparallel to the insertion part 731.

When compared to the example illustrated in FIG. 22, the middle cover733 is equal to that of FIG. 22 except that the middle cover 720includes the rear extension part 733. Thus, their duplicateddescriptions will be omitted.

Since the rear extension part 733 is provided, a large force formaintaining the curved state of the display part 10 may be obtained.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of a structure in which a rib 12 a isdisposed on a back cover 12 coupled to a rear side of a middle cover710.

Referring to FIG. 25, the rib 12 a protruding backward is disposed on anedge of the back cover 12 a. The rib 12 a longitudinally extends in leftand right directions. The rib 12 a may prevent the back cover 12 frombeing deformed in a direction perpendicular to the extension directionof the rib 12 a. Thus, a larger force for preventing the curved state ofthe display part 10 from being spread may be obtained. In an exampleillustrated in FIG. 26, other configurations except for the rib 12 a areequal to those of the example illustrated in FIG. 24, and thus, theirduplicated descriptions will be omitted.

Hereinafter, portions of configurations included in the displayapparatus except for the display part 10 and the fixing part will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 26 to 30.

FIG. 26 is a view of a back surface of a back cover according to anembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 26, a plurality of driver ICs 301 and 302 forcontrolling a display panel 11 may be disposed on area of a back surfaceof a back cover 12 curved by a rear cover 15. The driver ICs 301 and 302may be realized on a printed circuit board (PCB).

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 25, when the back cover 12 and the display panel11 have curved shapes, respectively, the PCB disposed on the backsurface of the back cover 12 may be fixed to the back cover 12 by usinga separate bracket.

Referring to FIG. 27, a bracket 350 is disposed between the back cover12 and the PCB 310. The back cover 12 and the bracket 350 may be coupledto each other at a central portion therebetween by using a firstcoupling member 351.

Also, the PCB 310 and the bracket 350 may be coupled to each other atboth outer portions thereof by using a second coupling member 352 and athird coupling member 353.

Thus, the PCB 310 may be stably fixed to the back cover without beingcurved along the curved shapes of the display panel 11 and the backcover 12.

FIGS. 28 and 29 are views illustrating a connection method of the driverIC according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 28, a display panel 11 may be connected to driver ICs,e.g., a left S-PCB 410 and a right PCB 411 by using a flexible printedcircuit board (FPCB) 401. Also, the driver ICs 410 and 411 may beconnected to a T-Con board 420.

Also, as shown in FIG. 29, the driver ICs 410 and 411 and the T-Conboard 420 may be fixed to a back surface of the display panel 11.

Referring to FIG. 30, a curved bar 500 having a curved shapecorresponding to that of the display panel 11 may be attached to an areaof the back surface of the display panel 11 on which the driver ICs 410and 411 and the T-Con board 420 are disposed.

The curved bar 500 may maintain the curved shape of the display panel11. In addition, the curved bar 500 may perform a heat dissipationfunction for releasing heat generated in the driver ICs 410 and 411 andthe T-Con board 420 to the outside.

To improve the heat dissipation function, the curved bar 500 may beconnected to the back cover 12.

For example, a plurality of holes 501 may be defined in the curved bar500, and the back cover 12 and the curved bar 500 may be coupled to eachother by using a coupling member such as a bolt though the plurality ofholes 501 defined in the curved bar 500.

According to the embodiments, since the flat display panel is curved tohave a predetermined curvature by using a back cover having a curvedshape, the user's immersion may be improved when the user watchesvarious images such as the 3D image.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. Therefore, contents with respect to variousvariations and modifications will be construed as being included in thescope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display apparatus, comprising: a displaymodule, the display module including: a display panel having a curvedshape; and a back cover disposed behind the display panel and having acurved shape corresponding to the curved shape of the display panel; anda fixing bar horizontally disposed behind the back cover and having acurved shape corresponding to the curved shape of the back cover,wherein the fixing bar has a cross-section in a vertical direction thatincludes a plurality of sections which are bent relative to each other,the plurality of sections of the fixing bar extending horizontally inthe curved shape of the back cover, and wherein the fixing bar includesone or more slits to enable the fixing bar to be easily curved, whereinthe back cover includes a rib that protrudes backwards to have a convexshape, and wherein the rib is provided at a position apart from an upperend of the back cover towards a center of the back cover, and extends inthe horizontal direction having the curved shape of the back cover, andwherein one of the plurality of sections of the fixing bar forms a backsurface of the fixing bar, and wherein the one or more slits is a notchat a longitudinal edge of the back surface of the fixing bar such thatthe one or more slits is disposed horizontally along the back cover. 2.The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fixing bar includes one ormore holes to enable the fixing bar to receive screws or bolts.
 3. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rib protrudes to have aplurality of surfaces that form the concave shape.
 4. The displayapparatus of claim 1, wherein the rib has a cross-section in a verticaldirection that includes a plurality of bent portions.
 5. The displayapparatus of claim 4, wherein the plurality of bent portions of the ribincludes: a first bent portion in which a portion of the back cover isbent backward to form a first side surface of the rib; a second bentportion which is vertically bent at an end of the first bent portion toform a back surface of the rib; and a third bent portion which is bentat an end of the second bent portion to form a second side surface ofthe rib opposite the first side surface.
 6. The display apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the fixing bar is fixed to the back cover.
 7. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 6, wherein the fixing bar includes: a firstportion that defines one surface of the fixing bar; a second portionbent at a first end of the first portion; and a third portion bent at asecond end of the first portion.
 8. The display apparatus of claim 7,wherein one or both of the second portion and the third portion areconfigured to contact the back cover.
 9. The display apparatus of claim7, wherein the ends of the second and third portions of the fixing barare curved along the back cover, and the first portion is configured tobe planar.
 10. The display apparatus of claim 1, further comprising arear cover disposed behind the back cover.
 11. The display apparatus ofclaim 10, further comprising a supporting unit that supports the displaymodule such that the display module stands up on an installationsurface, wherein one end of the supporting unit is fixed to the rearcover or the back cover, and the other end of the supporting unit isplaced on the installation surface.
 12. The display apparatus of claim11, wherein the other end of the supporting unit has a curved shape. 13.The display apparatus of claim 11, wherein the supporting unit includesa supporter of which one end is fixed to the rear cover or the backcover.
 14. The display apparatus of claim 13, wherein the supportingunit further includes a stand placed on the installation surface,wherein the other end of the supporter is coupled to the stand.
 15. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 14, wherein the stand is configured to becurved in such a manner that a central portion of the stand protrudesbackwards.
 16. The display apparatus of claim 15, wherein a curvature ofthe stand is greater than a curvature of the display module.
 17. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a PCB coupled to theback cover and having a planar shape.
 18. The display apparatus of claim17, further comprising: a bracket to which the PCB is coupled; a firstcoupling member that couples the bracket to the back cover; and a secondcoupling member that couples the PCB to the bracket, wherein the bracketis coupled to the back cover such that the bracket has a planar shape.19. A display apparatus, comprising: a display module, the displaymodule including: a display panel having a curved shape; and a backcover disposed behind the display panel and having a curved shapecorresponding to the curved shape of the display panel; and a fixing barhorizontally disposed behind the back cover and having a curved shapecorresponding to the curved shape of the back cover, wherein the fixingbar has a cross-section in a vertical direction that includes aplurality of sections which are bent relative to each other, theplurality of sections of the fixing bar extending horizontally in thecurved shape of the back cover, and wherein the fixing bar includes oneor more slits to enable the fixing bar to be easily curved, and whereinthe back cover includes a rib that protrudes backwards to have a convexshape, and wherein the rib is provided at a position apart from an upperend of the back cover towards a center of the back cover, and extends inthe horizontal direction having the curved shape of the back cover, arear cover disposed behind the back cover; and a supporting unit thatsupports the display module such that the display module stands up on aninstallation surface, wherein one end of the supporting unit is fixed tothe rear cover or the back cover, and the other end of the supportingunit is placed on the installation surface, wherein the supporting unitincludes a supporter of which one end is fixed to the rear cover or theback cover, and a stand placed on the installation surface, wherein theother end of the supporter is coupled to the stand, and wherein thesupporter includes: a plate coupling part directly coupled to the backcover; and a stand coupling part that extends at a lower end of theplate coupling part and coupled to the stand.